microbiology Introduction and scope

b.pharm 3rd semester

1. Intodruction of microbiology By rabiya ahsan ( assistant professor)

2. Definition of microbilogy Microbiology is the study of all living organisms that are too small to be visible with the naked eye. This includes bacteria, archaea , viruses, fungi, prions, protozoa and algae, collectively known as 'microbes'. These microbes play key roles in nutrient cycling, biodegradation/ biodeterioration , climate change, food spoilage, the cause and control of disease, and biotechnology.

3. Microorganisms are present everywhere on earth which includes humans, animals, plants and other living creatures, soil, water and atmosphere. Microbes can multiply in all three habitats except in the atmosphere. Together their numbers far exceed all other living cells on this planet. Microorganisms are relevant to all of us in a multitude of ways. The influence of microorganism in human life is both beneficial as well as detrimental also. For example microorganisms are required for the production of bread, cheese, yogurt, alcohol, wine, beer, antibiotics (e.g. penicillin, streptomycin, chloromycetin ), vaccines, vitamins, enzymes and many more important products.

4. Microorganisms are indispensable components of our ecosystem. Microorganisms play an important role in the recycling of organic and inorganic material through their roles in the C, N and S cycles, thus playing an important part in the maintenance of the stability of the biosphere. There is vast scope in the field of microbiology due to the advancement in the field of science and technology. The scope in this field is immense due to the involvement of microbiology in many fields like medicine, pharmacy, diary, industry, clinical research, water industry, agriculture, chemical technology and nanotechnology.

5. Genetics:  Mainly involves engineered microbes to make hormones, vaccine, antibiotics and many other useful products for human being. Agriculture:  The influence of microbes on agriculture; the prevention of the diseases that mainly damage the useful crops. Food science:  It involves the prevention of spoilage of food and food borne diseases and the uses of microbes to produce cheese, yoghurt, pickles and beer. Immunology:  The study of immune system which protect the body from pathogens. Medicine:  deals with the identification of plans and measures to cure diseases of human and animals which are infectious to them. Industry:  it involves use of microbes to produce antibiotics, steroids, alcohol, vitamins and amino acids etc.

6. Agricultural microbiology  – try to combat plant diseases that attack important food crops, work on methods to increase soil fertility and crop yields etc. Currently there is a great interest in using bacterial or viral insect pathogens as substitute for chemical pesticides. Microbial ecology  – biogeochemical cycles – bioremediation to reduce pollution effects Food and dairy microbiology  – try to prevent microbial spoilage of food and transmission of food borne diseases such as botulism and salmonellolis . Use microorganisms to make foods such as cheese, yogurt, pickles and beers. Industrial microbiology  – used to make products such as antibiotics, vaccines, steroids, alcohols and other solvents, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. Microbial physiology and Biochemistry  – study the synthesis of antibiotics and toxins, microbial energy production, microbial nitrogen fixation, effects of chemical and physical agents on microbial growth and survival etc.

7. Microbial genetics and Molecular biology  – nature of genetic information and how it regulated the development and function of cells and organisms. Development of new microbial strains that are more efficient in synthesizing useful products. Genetic engineering –  arisen from work of microbial genetics and molecular biology. Engineered microorganisms are used to make hormones, antibiotics, vaccines and other products. New genes can be inserted into plants and animals.

8. Applications of Microbiology Microbiology is one of the largest and most complex of the biological sciences as it deals with many diverse biological disciplines. In addition to studying the natural history of microbes, it deals with every aspects of microbe-human and environmental interaction. These interactions include: ecology, genetics, metabolism, infection, disease, chemotherapy, immunology, genetic engineering, industry and agriculture.